Quarterback race too close to call

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin so wanted a quarterback to make his mind up for him.

It so didn’t happen.

Daunte Culpepper looked like he won the race against Josh McCown with a swift touchdown drive in the third quarter of Thursday’s exhibition finale at Seattle, a 19-14 loss.

But, five incompletions in his next eight throws with a poor-decision interception later, it was impossible to say Culpepper (11-of-19, 108 yards) was that much better on the field than McCown (5-of-12, 75 yards), who had no turnovers.

The biggest difference is on the scoreboard. Culpepper has four touchdown passes in four games. McCown has none.

In the end, though, both quarterbacks were equal parts good and not so good, and both admitted as much after the game.

Now it’s up to Kiffin to make an executive decision, and he still isn’t in a hurry. Asked if he’d let this drag all the way up to the Sept. 9 season opener, Kiffin said it’s “very possible.”